San Francisco International Airport (SFO) unveiled a prototype version of a smartphone application which can help visually-impaired passengers to navigate through an airport terminal.

The
app was developed through San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's
Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, which paired SFO with the
Indoors, a leader in indoor navigation technology, and was developed
in a relatively short span of 16 weeks.

In
Focus

"This
ground breaking new innovation offers visually-impaired passengers
something remarkable?the ability to navigate through SFO
independently without assistance," said Airport Director John L.
Martin. "I appreciate the collaboration with Indoors and the
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, made possible by
Mayor Ed Lee's Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program. This program
demonstrates Mayor Lee's commitment to innovation."

The
prototype app works in conjunction with approximately 500 beacons
located throughout the terminal to audibly call out various points of
interest, including gate boarding areas, restaurants, and even power
outlets. The prototype version will undergo additional testing and
refinement before being released for use by the travelling public.

San
Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more
than 34 international cities on 29 international carriers. The Bay
Area's largest airport connects non-stop with 78 cities in the U.S.
on 15 domestic airlines. SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi
with no advertising.